'Bachelorette's' Nick Viall Talks Sex Bombshell: Is He Still In Love With Andi?

July 30, 2014 10:08 AM PDT

"The Bachelorette" contestant Nick Viall shocked viewers when he confronted Andi Dorfman asking why she had sex with him if she wasn't in love with him – a question that even left Nick himself shocked!

"I was surprised as anyone that it came out of my mouth I suppose," the 33-year-old told Access Hollywood's Billy Bush in a new interview. "You know, if I had anticipated it, I maybe could have been a little more delicate or wish I was, but that was something that was weighing on my mind."

Nick acknowledged the circumstances of the confrontation – on live TV – was not ideal.

"It was something that meant a lot to me and unfortunately it was my only opportunity to express that to her," he explained. "I really wish I would have had an opportunity in private, but we were in an extraordinary situation."

Nick also penned a letter to Andi (read his entire letter), something he has no regrets about, even though it eventually wound up on "The Bachelorette's" Facebook page for all to see.

"I'm not ashamed of anything I wrote in that letter," he said. "I very much loved her. I thought we had an incredible connection. I thought she was amazing and, yeah, that's how I felt about her and I wanted the opportunity to get that out."

From Nick's perspective, everything that happened on the ABC reality series show pointed towards a genuine love.

"She made me feel incredible when I was with her. I felt like she inspired me and brought out the best in me and it's tough to see that go," he told Billy. "I wasn't there just for the act of sex. It wasn't like, 'Oh well, at least I got to do that,' or something like that. She made me feel like she was falling in love with me by her actions and none, obviously, more than that."

So is Nick still in love with Andi, who is now engaged to Josh Murray?

"She's an incredible person and there will always be a place for her in my heart," he explained. "But she's in a serious relationship right now, and I've accept her decision and I'm looking forward to moving on."

Tune in to Access Hollywood on Wednesday and Thursday for more with Nick!